Old Time Radio Westerns: "The Thirteenth Notch"

The Lone Ranger – Originally aired 10/21/1940

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: September 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns revives the classic Lone Ranger drama "The Thirteenth Notch," digitally enhanced for modern listeners. The story centers around Jim Kilray, a notorious "gunman" with a dozen notches in his weapon—each thought to signify a deadly encounter—who finds himself accused of murdering the infamous villain Poison Pete. A mysterious thirteenth notch appears on his gun just as Poison Pete is gunned down, and all evidence seems to point to Kilray. The Lone Ranger and Tonto take it upon themselves to uncover the truth and bring the real killer to justice, proving the power of courage, friendship, and true justice in the Old West.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scene is Set in Red Rock (03:31-05:14)

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto follow signs of a violent confrontation involving three riders, identifying evidence that one man was wounded or killed and later carried.
• Lone Ranger suspects their friend, Jim Kilray, might be implicated in the crime, highlighting his history and troubled temper.

Community Tension & The Murder Investigation (05:14-08:30)

• Sheriff and townsfolk discover Poison Pete dead and immediately discuss possible motives among several characters—including Sam Sutton, Bart Hemingway, and Jeremy Tubbs—but suspicion rapidly focuses on Jim Kilray due to his gun's notches and temper.

  • Notable quote:
    “Instead of hunting the killer to hang him, you should hunt the killer to give him a medal. If ever a man needed killing, Poison Pete did.”
    -Sam Sutton [06:43]

• Deputy Slade and others remember Kilray’s heated argument with Poison Pete days before, further strengthening the case against him.

The Thirteenth Notch Mystery (08:30-09:14)

• Jim Kilray discovers an unexplained thirteenth notch on his gun, prompting worry and confusion.

  • Notable quote:
    “I cut 12 notches in here. I know there was only 12. Now there’s 13.”
    -Jim Kilray [09:03]

• Reveals to Mrs. Sprout: Kilray admits that the notches are mostly a bluff, meant to deter trouble—a clever subversion of Western stereotypes.

Arrest & Trial (10:21-14:48)

• Sheriff and deputies arrest Kilray. Mrs. Sprout tries to defend him, but circumstantial evidence—his argument with Poison Pete, proximity to the scene, and his notorious notches—leads to a quick conviction.

  • Notable quote:
    “If you never killed anyone, you’re still lying by the notches on your gun. I’m arresting you for murder.”
    -Sheriff [11:51]

• Courtroom drama: The jury convicts Kilray based on shaky evidence.

  • Notable quote:
    “You stand convicted of murder...to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy on your soul.”
    -Judge [14:33]

• Kilray spots the Lone Ranger in the crowd and regains hope, convinced someone will pursue real justice:
  “He was here and he knows. I’m not worried now.”
  -Jim Kilray [15:18]

Breaking Kilray Out: The Lone Ranger’s Plan (15:24-20:10)

• Lone Ranger and Tonto orchestrate a jailbreak, incapacitating the guards and sneaking Kilray out.

  • Notable quote:
    “There’ll be a horse saddled and waiting outside for you...you’re not guilty, so I knew you’d come running.”
    -Lone Ranger & Jim Kilray [19:00-19:18]

• Lone Ranger enlists Judge Blake’s help, revealing the notches were for show and building trust for the next critical steps of the investigation.

Setting the Trap: Tracking the Real Killer (20:10-25:45)

• Lone Ranger sends notes to all townsfolk who had motives, telling each to meet at a critical location.
• Tonto and Kilray head out to a cave—the true crime scene—followed by the Sheriff and Deputy Slade, who received one of the notes.

Showdown and Resolution (25:45-29:44)

• Sheriff and Slade confront Tonto and Kilray, threatening violence to extract the Lone Ranger’s whereabouts.

• Lone Ranger intervenes, disarms the lawmen, and accuses them of being the real murderers.

  • Notable quote:
    “The fact that you two came here is proof that you’re the murderers. Your note said that Kilray would head for the scene of the murder because he knew there’d be a clue there. No one but the killers could have known the true scene of the murder. All the others who received a note went to the arroyo at Red Rock. You alone came here.”
    -Lone Ranger [26:37]

• Sheriff admits his guilt, revealing that Poison Pete was blackmailing him.

  • Notable admission:
    “Sure I did. He knew I was wanted in Kansas. He’d been making me pay him cash to keep his mouth shut.”
    -Sheriff [27:06]

• Judge Blake and witnesses arrive to hear the confession. The Sheriff and Deputy are apprehended.

• Jim Kilray’s innocence is finally proven as the Lone Ranger prepares to ride onward.

  • Iconic sign-off:
    “That man’s no stranger. No, boys, that’s the Lone Ranger.”
    -Judge Blake & Townsfolk [28:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I never killed a man in all my life.”
  -Jim Kilray [09:18]

• “I said, you see, if men think I’m a dangerous critter awry, they leave me alone.”
  -Jim Kilray [10:07]

• “You was ready to let me hang for a murder you’ve done. Now, look out.”
  -Lone Ranger [27:15]

• “You’re the man to hang. Get guns on him, boys. We’ll take over now, stranger.”
  -Judge Blake [28:00]

Key Timestamps

• 03:50 – Lone Ranger reconstructs the scene and the clues with Tonto
• 05:14 – Sheriff builds the initial case for murder against Kilray
• 09:14 – Kilray reveals the truth about the notches to Mrs. Sprout
• 11:51 – Sheriff arrests Kilray
• 14:33 – Judge sentences Kilray to be hanged
• 19:00 – Lone Ranger breaks Kilray out of jail
• 21:12 – Lone Ranger meets with Judge Blake to reveal his plan
• 25:03 – Cave confrontation and revelation of the true killers
• 27:06 – Sheriff confesses to murder and blackmail
• 28:08 – Judge Blake exposes the real killer and confirms the Lone Ranger’s identity

Tone & Style

The episode combines the brooding tension of a Western murder mystery with the grand themes of redemption and justice, featuring colorful Old West dialogue and a strong sense of camaraderie, honor, and suspense. The Lone Ranger is portrayed as righteous, clever, and compassionate, while Kilray is depicted as a misunderstood but fundamentally decent man. The show’s classic tropes—masked heroics, innocent men wrongly accused, and a dramatic reveal—are delivered with energetic performances and sharp, period-appropriate language.

For those who haven’t listened, this episode is a classic Western whodunit, delivering all the sound and fury you’d expect from the golden age of radio, now presented in crystal-clear modern audio. Justice is served, but not before a wild ride through suspicion, betrayal, and old-fashioned detective work in the untamed frontier.